DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial cancer Primary fallopian or peritoneal cancer allowed Clinically and/or radiologically documented advanced and/or recurrent disease At least one site of disease unidimensionally measurable: Minimum indicator lesion site as follows: At least 10 mm on spiral CT scan At least 20 mm on conventional CT scan At least 20 mm on chest x-ray or physical exam No recent prior radiotherapy to indicator lesion(s) Clear disease progression or new lesion within a previously irradiated field allowed Previously treated with one or two chemotherapy regimens At least one regimen must have contained cisplatin or carboplatin (changing from one prior platinum compound to another for disease progression or failure to respond is considered a second regimen) Use of same prior chemotherapy combination for first-line and second-line therapy is considered two regimens No borderline ovarian tumor No ascites as only disease presentation No abdominal adenocarcinoma of unknown origin No symptomatic brain metastasis that are potentially life-threatening or require active treatment